Five Instagram Trends That Are Working

Instagram is constantly changing, and we’re always looking for ways to improve post performance. Here are a few tips for amping up performance in feeds:

Boomerang: If you haven’t heard of this app, we’re sure you’ve seen its Instagram integration in action. A quick scroll past this type of video on your feed will leave you thinking it’s just a short gif or video, but it’s actually a video creator by Instagram that lets you make mini videos that loop back and forth to share with friends. It’s literally a boomerang video. Show your product in action - (ie) some sweet bourbon pouring in and out of the bottle. There’s something mesmerizing about it.

Snapchat Filters: Yes, I said Snapchat. Even though Instagram recently added a 24-hour Story feature scarily similar to Snapchat’s, you’ll still find Snapchat images in your Instagram feed. Why? Because their filters are on another level of quirky, fun and brilliant that Instagram hasn’t quite reached. To get this effect — take a picture in Snapchat with your favorite filter (we’re betting on the dog one), save it and upload it to Instagram. Will this end once Instagram adds filters to their Stories? It’s only a matter of time.

Hiding Hashtags: Too many hashtags can be too much. If you pay close attention to Instagrammers with a decent following, they typically save hashtags to put as a comment versus placing them in the initial post text. Not only does it keep your caption looking clean and crisp, but it also simultaneously puts more eyes on your posts. Work smarter, not harder, right?

Themes: It’s safe to say that Instagram gets held to a higher standard when it comes to the quality of photos, lighting, coloring and overall aesthetic. Whether you go with the same filter each time, pick a color that stands out in each picture or just use a similar photography strategy, the continuity plays well with avid Instagrammers.

Pay-for-play: It was just a matter of time before this hit Instagram. If you advertise on Facebook, you can easily add Instagram to your buy through the Facebook self-service ad platform. Facebook owns Instagram and has managed to double the ad network in six months thanks to this integration. Not only does an buy get your content seen, it’s a great way to grow followers, just make sure your image is beautiful and your message interesting.

What’s your favorite trend on Instagram right now? Talk to us in the comments below.